About the Course
Are you interested in learning meditation to experience more calm and compassion? Would you like to connect with others who are also interested in meditating and growing together through the wisdom of Buddhist practices and teachings?
Beginning in January, we are offering an opportunity to support you in exploring these questions through our Stepping into Meditation and Community course. This is an online, interactive, eight-week course that will guide you to the most present, compassionate, and connected aspects of yourself. Through inner exploration and engaging with community in reflection and discussion, you will learn accessible, time-tested Tibetan Buddhist practices that will support you in awakening to deeper peace, joy, compassion and balance in three spheres of engagement in your life: personal, community, and the world.
Who’s This Course For?
You do not need to be a Buddhist to enjoy or benefit from the content of this course. In these eight weeks, we will provide a framework for foundational Namchak practices and dharma while also inviting participants into the warmth of sangha. This course is a great starting point for those who are just stepping into meditation and Namchak and want to create the habit of a daily practice, supported by others doing the same. This is also a great place to start for the more experienced practitioner who is looking for connection with the Namchak Sangha through opportunities to reflect upon, discuss, and contemplate the course content together.
Course Outline
- Week 1: Course Overview, Intention Sharing & Community Foundations
- Week 2: Introduction to Shamata & The Four Noble Truths
- Week 3: Continuing with Shamata & Deepening Intention
- Week 4: The Six Perfections & Working with Obstacles to Our Practice
- Week 5: Loving Kindness Practice Starting with Ourselves
- Week 6: Introduction to Tonglen- A Compassion Practice of Giving and Receiving
- Week 7: Engaged Bodhicitta: Exploring our Work in the World
- Week 8: Bringing it All Together & Carrying the Gems Forward (Course Conclusion)
- Week 9: Optional Learning Circle Transition
Details – Online via Zoom
We will meet for eight consecutive 90-minute weekly sessions on Thursday evenings. Each session will be led by Namchak facilitator Rachel Ashley.
Note: Times are listed in Mountain Time.
- Jan 23, 2025 5:30 PM MST
- Jan 30, 2025 5:30 PM MST
- Feb 6, 2025 5:30 PM MST
- Feb 13, 2025 5:30 PM MST
- Feb 20, 2025 5:30 PM MST
- Feb 27, 2025 5:30 PM MST
- Mar 6, 2025 5:30 PM MST
- Mar 13, 2025 5:30 PM MST
- Mar 20, 2025 (Optional Learning Circle Transition)
Login Info & Email Subscription Preferences
The Zoom link will be provided upon registration and a reminder email will be sent out each week with the login info. Confirmation emails from Eventbrite often end up in spam/promotions tab. Please check there if you do not see the confirmation email with the Zoom info.
In addition, if you are unsubscribed from Namchak Community emails you will be unable to receive important emails regarding this course. If you wish to personalize your Namchak Community email preferences, you can do so by locating a previous Namchak Community email and clicking the ‘Manage Preferences’ hyperlink at the bottom.
Tuition
Our intention is to make this workshop financially accessible to all, so we offer a tiered fee structure. Please choose whichever level works best for you.
If program costs present a financial barrier or you are interested in a stipend to offset the cost of childcare, please contact rachel@namchak.org.
Invite a friend!
Sangha or community, is one of our favorite elements of the Buddhist path. That’s why we’re happy to share that when you register for the Stepping into Meditation and Community course, you can bring a friend, family member, or loved one to the course for free!
Upon registering for the course, you’ll receive a discount code via email for your guest to use for complimentary registration. They simply have to register for the course through our website and use the promotional code that you received in your email. We look forward to seeing you and your friend at our next course! Please email rachel@namchak.org if you have any questions.
What Students Are Saying:
“Connecting with others who were, just like me, wanting to learn more about the Dharma, develop a daily practice, and be a part of something special has made this tumultuous and overly uncertain year a lot more enjoyable and gratifying. I loved the weekly conversations, the learning about Tibetan Buddhism and meditation methods, and the camaraderie that grew in spite of and because of our differences. I hold the greatest gratitude for Namchak for hosting these events and I’m looking forward to being a part of many more.” – Laura
“This is an awesome human experience. Participants change in front of us. After 12 weeks, I could feel my difference & see amazing changes in others. A weekly session is so nice to keep the pace up. I did another 12-week session & felt a lot more comfortable with the material. All the students are people I want to know! Our presenter Rachel, is extremely authentic & is perfect in her career. I can’t say enough about her professionalism & representation of Namchak’s philosophies. She walks the talk as well as talks the walk. I am always happy to see her!” – Sandy
“Rachel was wonderful. Her calm and reassuring demeanor made for a perfect leader for this group. She was available and open to questions. Great job 👏 “- Amy
“Rachel is a wonderful teacher and guide!” – Carol
About Rachel:
Rachel has been working with Namchak since 2017, serving on the Community Advisory Board before moving into her current position as the Community Steward. Before her role with Namchak, she worked as an educator in a variety of settings for over 15 years with elementary through college-aged students teaching English, Language Arts, dance, movement, mindfulness, and meditation. Her enthusiasm for teaching inspired her Education degree from Ithaca College, her Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University, as well as her training in various mindfulness and meditation programs over the years.
Her exposure to spiritual practice and Buddhism started at a young age from the inspiration of her mother and time spent in nature. It wasn’t until after college that Rachel attended her first Buddhist retreat, which completely changed the direction of her spiritual path. Since then, she has been studying the Dharma and considers herself a devoted Vajrayana Buddhist practitioner.
